Aberdeen FC backs lung cancer awareness month

Aberdeen’s number three today (Wednesday, November 9) used his club shirt to highlight the importance of getting a cough that lasts three weeks or more checked out by a GP.

Graeme Shinnie became the latest player to back the Detect Cancer Early lung campaign which aims to drive awareness of the fact that a cough for three weeks or more could be a sign of lung cancer.

The drive, which coincides with Lung Cancer Awareness Month, hopes to encourage more people with the symptom to get checked by their GP sooner rather than later.

The Detect Cancer Early (DCE) lung campaign is fronted by Sir Alex Ferguson who lost his own parents to the disease.

The football legend, a former Aberdeen manager, stars in a film released to mark the awareness month where he meets a fan who survived lung cancer after seeking help early and praises him as a ‘great example to everyone in Scotland’.

The five year survival rate for those diagnosed at an early stage is almost 20 times higher than for those diagnosed at a late stage.

Latest statistics show that since the launch of DCE, the percentage of patients diagnosed with the earliest stage of lung cancer (stage 1) in Scotland has increased by over a third (35.6 per cent overall), and by even more amongst those living in the most deprived areas (44.1 per cent)1.

Graeme Shinnie, said:

“If I can use the number on my shirt to encourage people to act, then that’s a great thing. The earlier cancer is found, the easier it is to treat. If you’re worried about yourself or a loved one, don’t delay in making a GP appointment. It could save your life.”

Commenting, Dr Kirsten Cassidy, GP Lead for Cancer, NHS Grampian said: “If you’ve had a cough for three weeks or more, your GP wants to see you. It’s probably nothing to worry about but it does need to be checked. A persistent cough could be a potential sign of lung cancer and the earlier it’s identified, the easier it is to treat.

“Too often we see patients who’ve been living with a lung cancer symptom for a long time but thought it was nothing and didn’t seek medical advice. You shouldn’t worry, there are many causes other than lung cancer but you should give yourself peace of mind by having it checked. It’s a straightforward process so please don’t ignore potential symptoms.”